As the NBA postseason plays out in Orlando, many eyes have looked to the offseason, where rumors of big trades and signings have (unsurprisingly) emerged for pretty much every team in the NBA.
The Thunder are no different and despite their inspiring run to the fifth seed, it’s clear they’re still a piece or two away from true title contention.
Considering CP3’s age and contract, he makes the most sense for the Thunder to trade right now and, in a recent article by Complex, they suggested a scenario that could bring them young Philly star Ben Simmons in return.
The Thunder are another team with a ton of future picks to use in a potential trade for a superstar. They could also offer the Sixers Chris Paul, who would likely be a much better fit alongside Embiid going forward. Philly could get really greedy and try and get SGA in a potential deal, but it seems doubtful that the Thunder would include him in a deal. For Philly, this would be a risky move based on CP3’s age, but if you’re able to get another piece and some picks, it might be an opportunity to rebuild the roster.
CP3 would fare well alongside Joel Embiid. As a true, playmaking guard who can shoot from the perimeter and create shots for others, he’d be a way better fit in the roster. The big concern is just how much he has left in the tank at 35-years-old.
As for the Thunder, Simmons would be their centerpiece alongside a roster that includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steven Adams, and Danilo Gallinari. They’d be contenders in the West for years to come, especially if Simmons develops his shot.
All-in-all, it’s clear that both sides have something to gain from the trade. But whether or not it actually happens is another thing entirely.
